Manhunt for 35-year-old released in error from HMP Wandsworth

Police are asking for the public’s help in finding 35-year-old William Smith, who is known as Billy, after he was mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth on Monday (3 November) 2025.

Surrey Police have said they are making urgent enquiries to locate him as quickly as possible.

Smith had been sentenced to 45 months in prison for multiple fraud offences at Croydon Crown Court on the same day as his release. During his court appearance, he appeared via a live video link from HMP Wandsworth.

Smith is described as White, bald, and clean-shaven. At the time of his release, he was wearing a navy long-sleeve jumper featuring a white Nike ‘tick’ on the front, navy blue tracksuit bottoms with a Nike ‘tick’ on the left pocket, and black trainers.

Smith has known links to Woking, but police have said he could be anywhere in Surrey.

Liberal Democrat MP for Woking Will Forster posted on social media: 'As the Member of Parliament for #Woking, I’m aware that a prisoner was wrongly released from Wandsworth Prison yesterday, and also that this person is a Woking resident and his offences were predominantly within Woking.'

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